不是…而是…bùshì... érshì...

Structure 不是…而是… (bùshì... érshì...): Not... but rather...

Meaning: Not A, but rather B (correction/contrast)

Pattern

不是…而是… is a key contrastive and corrective structure.
The speaker first negates a misconception or incorrect option (A) and then states the true fact or reason (B).
Unlike 不是…就是… (which presents an "either/or" choice), this structure clearly affirms that only B is true while A is false.
Elements A and B usually have parallel grammatical forms (nouns, adjectives, verbs, or clauses) to keep the sentence balanced.
An emphatic variant is 并不是…而是…, adding 并 before 不 to strengthen the refutation.
Remember: 而是

1
他不是中国人，而是韩国人。
Tā bùshì Zhōngguórén, érshì Hánguórén.
He is not Chinese, but Korean.
2
我不是不想去，而是没有时间。
Wǒ bùshì bù xiǎng qù, érshì méiyǒu shíjiān.
It's not that I don't want to go, but rather that I don't have time.
3
成功不是靠运气，而是靠努力。
Chénggōng bùshì kào yùnqi, érshì kào nǔlì.
Success does not depend on luck, but on hard work.

•而是 means "but rather" and is used to correct information; do not confuse it with 就是.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Confusing 而是 ("but rather") with 就是 ("or / then it is").

•Failing to keep the two clauses grammatically parallel.

Combine Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Practice, Listening, Hanzi Writing, and Mock Exams at HSK 4 to master all skills together.